This Wednesday at 9pm (UTC+1), Paris Saint-Germain take on Liverpool at the Parc des Princes in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 8, 2024-2025 (return on Tuesday March 11). In a press conference, Reds coach Arne Slot spoke about the match and the Parisian opponent.
Slot “It’s difficult to have great possession against PSG”.
“It’s difficult to have a lot of possession against PSG. We have to adapt. PSG are without doubt one of the best teams with the ball, they’re so dangerous offensively. Their pressing is intense. Both teams like to have the ball and work very hard without it. By drawing PSG, we had the most difficult draw, yes, we would have preferred Benfica, yes, but we have to accept the rules of the game. Gakpo (absent from training on Tuesday morning) is close to being ready to play”, but Slot assures us that he ”felt a new pain.
Slot “PSG certainly deserve a lot of credit”.
I think the French league is very good, because I’ve often played against French teams. It’s clear that French teams have done well in the past and that the French national team is one of the best in the world. PSG certainly deserve a lot of credit for what they’re doing. I read that Luis Enrique said we had three very fast players in attack, but Barcola, Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia aren’t slow either. We’ll have a plan, and so will PSG.”
You can feel the Liverpool coach’s respect. At this level, it has to be said that every team is fighting to win, and there are no “small” teams left. Of course, PSG have also gained in pedigree with their start to 2025. As Slot knows, this team is hard to read, and the collective talent, sublimated by the in-form individualities, have enough to worry the Reds.
That said, it has to be said that Liverpool hold all the cards in terms of what they’ve shown since the start of the season. Virtually unstoppable this year, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with, but it shows PSG that they’ll have no choice but to put in two great performances to qualify. Offensive and defensive efficiency will be key, as always. We’ll need to score on our chances if we are to avoid a repeat of past disappointments.
